If you are exposed to dust in the workplace, you have to beware of these symptoms.

In this article, you get an overview of the problems, the consequences and possible solutions, so you and your colleagues can avoid becoming sick in the future.

The Problem: Where does the dust come from?

It can appear both indoors and outdoors. You have to, of course, be extra aware when handling dusty materials or working with dusty processes, when being inside, but that doesn't mean it's not potentially dangerous outside.

But where does it come from then?

Machines and materials

You mainly think of products like sand, clay, mortar, rocks, cement, mineral whool and wood, when thinking of dangerous dust. But putty, glue and paint can cling to your lungs and skin, and should also be included.

Besides the materials, some machinery also bring risks of dangerous amounts of dust.

I.e. when you sandblast or fill a concrete mixer with dry product; when you drill, saw or break down precast concrete, plaster, plastic or the like.

The Consequenses: Immediate and over time

Besides being a problem for the quality of the build, and the tear on various blades, the dust also causes healthcare issues.

Both immediate ones, and those that build up over time.

Immediate consequences:

• Your eyes get dry and run over.
• Your throat feels dry. You cough and sneeze.
• It gets harder and harder to draw breath all the way down into your lungs.

Over time:

Over time, the dust can build up and reach even the smallest, most delicate, outer branches of your lungs. This causes astma and hay fever, which are pretty bad in and of themselves...

But, worst-case-scenario, the dust can cause COPD, asbestosis and lung cancer. 

Most building grounds have cancer-inducing particles in the air: respiratory quartz from e.g. concrete or wood dust from hardwood trees.

The Solutions: How to avoid the dust?

In some cases you can prepare yourself out of dust problems.

Instructions, supervision and workplace assessments are good and neccessary building blocks. But aside from that, you should also look into which machines, materials, and work proccesses you use on site.

We'll guide you some of the way.

Machinery and materials

A smart way to avoid the dust problem is to look into the machinery and materials used on site.

For instance, it's a good idea to purchase products and materials, that don't need milling, sawing or drilling. I.e. pre-drilled, cut, pre-cast concrete. And if you have to cut something, use a wet tile saw in stead of a dry one.

When trying to limit dust, water is quite an awesome tool.

Remember to clean, vacuum and wet sweep regularly; keep paths and roads moist, so you avoid stirring up dust that has finnally dropped to the ground.

Machinery with build-in or mounted suction ensure a great deal of the dust is vacuumed before it reaches the air and your airways.

At SoRoTo, we've developed the SoRoTo® Dust Controller.

SoRoTo® are machines by and for masoners and tilers. Those that design the products, have worked with fine plaster themselves  - and they have experienced the dust creeping into every little crease, first-hand.

This is why, SoRoTo®, from the very beginning, have tried to design something, that could help remove the discomfort and the healthcare issues, brought on by the dust.

We started with the dust-proof lid. The problem with this solution was, that is was impossible to follow the development of the mix. You couldn't see anything: Did it need wet or dry product? And if it needed something, you couldn't poor extra in.

This is why a version of the Dust Controller (the SoRoTo® Dust Liminator) quickly came into play - and onto the machines.

The SoRoTo® Dust Controller is mounted on the inside of the grid lid - and then you just connect your industrial vacuum cleaner. Since the Dust Controller only lines the edge of the grid lid, you have both vision of and access to the mix. 

With the SoRoTo® Dust Controller you remove up to 80% of the dangerous dust.

SEE, HOW THE SOROTO® DUST CONTROLLER HELPS YOU OUT

If the suction comes from an external vacuum cleaner, remember to make sure it's up to par. Preferably with an automatic filter-cleaner, so you don't have to clean it yourself.

Place the machinery somewhat away from where people work, so no more than neccessary are exposed to the dust. You can also put up special dust partitions.

We hope, we made it a little easier for you to approach now. Be safe out there!